Murray in a hurry at Beltane
David Knox • Published 1 Jul 2011 09:30
0 Comments
GALA WANDERER Calum Murray clocked up his second sprint win of the season at Peebles on Sunday.
And the 19-year-old rugby player admitted the Beltane Sprint victory made amends for a false start the previous week at Selkirk, which likely cost him another first prize.
Murray, running from 10 metres, said: "I'm delighted to have won as it's only my third race.
"I put last week behind me and just concentrated on today."
Hawick veteran Ross Weir (21) finished half-a-metre back in second with Bruce Scott (19) from the TLJT club in third.
Another talented teenager Ewan Dyer (19) claimed victory in the one-lap race.
The 17-year-old from Pitreavie pegged back Selkirk's Nyle Godsmark (29) in the final 50 metres. Veteran Geoff Keen (23) kept on strongly in the final to claim third.
Kirkcaldy's Graham Lister (55) followed up his half-mile win at Selkirk by claiming the 800 metres from Jed's Andrew Thompson (67.5) and the fast-finishing Craig Robertson (15) of Pitreavie.
Lister said: "It was really tough in that last lap and I wasn't sure I'd get it until I was in the home straight."
There was a shock in the 1600 metres with Hawick's Gary Law (410) proving uncatchable from his handicap. The 45-year-old won by the length of the home straight from Kelso's Colin Welsh (40) and Pitreavie's Craig Robertson (40).
Law said: "I want to thank my coach Ged Smith who has worked so hard with me. I knew the boys would be closing down on me as they are super runners, but I just kept going."
The front-marker also won the 3200 metres. Hawick's Keith Murray (420), despite tackling the Eildon Hill Race the previous day, enjoyed a comfortable 60 metres lead on the final lap from Kelso's Chris Black (140) and John Thomson (240) of Coaltown.
Murray told us: "My legs were a bit tired from yesterday and I could feel my hamstrings tighten but I just kept at it."
The TLJT club's dominance of the junior and youth races continued with brothers Matt (7.5) and Josh (10) Dougall claiming first and second, respectively, in the Junior 90 metres.
Leithenburn's Calder Maclean (6.5) finished well to take third.
Ellie Temple (20.5) from the same club also won the Youths 90 metres with a metre to spare from Jed's Jasmin Tomlinson (20.5) and Kelso's Euan Pettigrew (9).
Fergus Rule (21) won the Junior One Lap race for the Leithenburn club. The 10-year-old, who is coached by Darin Dougal, finished well to beat Josh Dougall (26) and long-time leader Marshall Smith (40) from Gala Harriers.
Pettigrew (21) made up for his narrow defeat in the sprint by winning the Youths One Lap race. The 15-year-old just caught Jack Wilson (29) of Hawick and TLJT's Charlie Wilson (16) in the dying strides.
Peebles had plenty to cheer in the Youths 1600 metres with Jacob Adkin (100) finishing well to take first place. The 15-year-old beat Scarlet Yates (280) and his Moorfoot training partner Ruaridh Britton (230) on the home straight. Adkin said: "I wasn't sure I would catch the front runners but I thought I had a chance on the last lap. I'm really pleased to have won on my home track."
Games organiser Drew Fraser said: "I am due a lot of people a big thank you for all of their help - especially our sponsors, the volunteers and Border Athletics.
"It was a successful day."
This article appeared in Peeblesshire News 01 Jul 11
Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our Sport archives.
Peeblesshire News Poll
Are you in favour of wind farms?
This Poll is now closed.
Yes (72.7%)
No (27.3%)
